SAT 26 DEC

Short visit to South Huish Marsh only produced - 30 WIGEON, 60 TEAL, 20 MALLARD and a MUTE SWAN.

Early morning on T'stone Marsh 10 TEAL and a LITTLE EGRET

WED 23 DEC

A contrasting morning of sunshine and showers with a brisk F5/6 SSW wind.

An increase in birds on South Huish Marsh with some of the highest specie totals of the winter - 23 WIGEON, 85 TEAL, 55 MALLARD,

1 GREYLAG GOOSE, 32 LAPWING, 2 SNIPE

At 10. 00 a 2cy F MARSH HARRIER watched for 15 mins quartering over the Marsh. This is a different bird to the the last one reported recently. , more cream on the head. Ironic it should
appear on Graham's birthday as he missed the last one .

A short visit to Buckland Valley produced - 1 KESTREL,

1 SPARROWHAWK , GOLDCREST and 3 CHIFFCHAFF. On the way at Huxton Cross a flock of 10 FIELDFARE

Finally at 14.45 a MERLIN flew over my garden .

With the festive activities starting on Xmas Eve can I wish all the birders who look at the blog a great festive time and with 2016 only just over a week away a very enjoyable and successful
New Year

TUES 22 DEC

Managed a morning on the patch before the next spell of rain arrived at 12.30. Wind SSW F 8 + and very rough seas , poor viz offshore .

MON 14 DEC

Back out on the patch after a w/end meeting up with family - despite the poor conditions still worthwhile - Offshore - 22 GANNET, 2db BRENT GOOSE ( came in from west, flew around the Bay then back
west )

FRI 11 DEC

3 LAPWING, 1 WATER PIPIT . On the rocks 7 TURNSTONE, offshore only 4 GANNET and a pair of COMMON SCOTER

Came home early because of the weather , looked onto the garden and found a FIRECREST working its way along the hedge .

Near Huxton Cross Bob had 2 YELLOWHAMMER and over T'stone village 3 REDWING

Next update Mon 14/12

THURS 10 DEC

A clear morning with increasing cloud cover, Strong SW f7/8 wind .

I have rec'd a report that a MARSH HARRIER was watched flying over the reed beds near the sewage works on Fri 4 Dec .

Very little to report this morning - On South Huish Marsh - 20 TEAL,

1 f WIGEON , 1 LITTLE GREBE. 3 LAPWING

Offshore around 10 GANNET, on the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and a TURNSTONE.

A visit to Buckland Valley produced - 1 BLACK REDSTART, 1 JAY, 1 GREY WAGTAIL and a SONG THRUSH .

TUES 8 DEC

A morning alternating with sunny periods and showers . Still a F7 W wind - gave seawatching a miss this morningb .

All activity at Soputh Huish Marsh where from 09.45- 10.05 watched a 1st w MARSH HARRIER quartering the reed beds. Recently 1 ( or possibly 2 ) birds seen at Slapton Ley , since the old female
passed on has been very scarce here - only 2nd patch record this year

MON 7 DEC

Sunshine at last - a lovely morning with good viz and an increasing F5/6 SSE wind.

Offshore still quiet -only 3 GANNET, 1 FULMAR and 25 KITTIWAKE.

On the rocks - 9 TURNSTONE, 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 8 RINGED PLOVER

( also 2 flew up the valley ) 1 KINGFISHER, a F BLACK REDSTART ( on the flats) and at 12.05 a SWALLOW flying over seaweed on the beach - this is only my 2nd Dec record, last years was on the 3rd
so this is the patch latest record

WED 2 DEC.

For a short while around 09.30 there was some blue sky , soon clouded over with drizzle by 12.00. Brisk F5/6 SW wind , sea still rough.

Moving through the garden this morning -6 LONG T TIT, 2 GOLDCREST., and a COAL TIT .

Arrived at South Huish Marsh at 09.30, surprised to find the GLOSSY IBIS feeding in its favourite field alongside a LITTLE EGRET. Last seen early on 24th Nov- it must have another foul pool
somewhere local that it flies off to .Also 30 TEAL, 1f WIGEON, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 2 SNIPE,